Bill > HB227

This bill, known as the Honesty in Teaching Act, aims to prohibit public school entities from engaging in what the legislation defines as "prohibited indoctrination" by preventing communications that compel individuals to adopt ideas that violate the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Specifically, the bill prohibits statements suggesting that any group is inherently superior or inferior based on characteristics like race, gender, religion, or disability, and prevents discrimination or unequal treatment based on these characteristics. The legislation requires public school entities, their employees, and contractors to avoid compelling students to affirm such discriminatory ideas, while still allowing academic discussions of historical concepts and challenging ideas. The bill mandates that public school contractors include a statement in their contracts affirming they will not engage in workplace training involving prohibited indoctrination. The enforcement mechanism allows parents, students, or others to file complaints with a public school entity's governing board, with potential consequences including professional development requirements for employees or contract cancellation for contractors found in violation. The Department of Education is tasked with developing guidance for teachers that emphasizes promoting independent thinking, engaging with diverse viewpoints, and helping students become critical consumers of information. The act takes effect immediately and applies to all public school entities in Pennsylvania, including school districts, charter schools, and career and technical schools.

Education

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=227